Community

Reaching out to young adults

Public education: John (right) and El Sheila with a flyer for the event.

FAMILY planning remains one of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Family Reproductive Health Association’s (SWPFReHA) most important subject when it comes to sex education for young couples and new families.

The Internet may have all the answers but SWPFReHA finds that most times the advice-seeker just needs someone to talk to.

“Youngsters nowadays seek information online but they do not know if it works or not.

“Parents also tend to shy away from the subject as they do not feel comfortable talking about it,” said association manager Doris John.

She added that the centre received a minimum of two calls a week regarding such issues.

Despite the SWPFReHA centre in Kuala Lumpur turning 61 this year, not many know of its existence.

Those seeking consultation are mostly referred by friends.

John said to move along with the times, they had engaged the assistance of a young group of volunteers who ran their social media site on Facebook.

“We need to let the younger community know of us and where to find us,” said John, adding that all activities and events of the centre were posted on the page.

For the upcoming International Women’s Day, she said the association would continue to give importance in educating the public on reproductive health.

“We have lined up a series of activities for the special day from talks, workshops to health screenings.

“We hope the public will come forward and take advantage of it,” she said, adding that the centre was constantly in need of volunteer doctors as they ran a clinic twice a week.

El Sheila Kanavathi, who had been a volunteer at the association for five years, said their dream one day was to run a five-day week clinic at the centre and to serve more people.

They are also constantly trying their best to reach the urban poor, blind and deaf communities as well as children from welfare homes through various programmes.

However, due to limited funding, the duo said it was not easy for them to run as many activities as they wished.

This Saturday, the association will offer free breast examination while a nominal fee will be charged for pap smear, blood test and ultrasound.

The event to be held at SWPFReHA’s centre in Lorong Syed Putra Kiri, Kuala Lumpur, will be from 9.30am to 4pm.

The association is also organising a stand-up comedy on March 29 and a movie screening on April 30 to raise funds. Those who wish to donate can call the centre at 03-2274 3489 or visit the association’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/swp.freha